According to an article in the 29 June 1969 Los Angeles Times, the final screenplay for MIDNIGHT COWBOY incorporated “an intensive method of rehearsing and writing the dialog” that entailed improvisational exercises between co-stars Jon Voight and Dustin Hoffman.
One of the most famous improv scenes in film history. It had the audience in stitches. Improv greatly improves any film directer by George Lucas.
Interesting! Doesn't fit my original request of successful dramatic improv (HF was doing a comic moment), but interesting!
You said improv in a non-comedy film. Star Wars isn't a comedy. Nor did you exclude "comedic" improv in a dramatic film.
While my initial post does specify dramatic improv (see penultimate sentence), you are correct that the thread title did not. I have now changed that. Thanks, Solly!
In Nothing In Common Tom Hanks and co-star Jackie Gleason were in a small space together in the kitchen, Gleason slams the refrigerator door so fast he almost hits Hanks in the face with the door or his elbow. Hanks was totally taken off guard and you can see the shocked look on his face. Hanks continued to act thru the scene.
Check out The Turning Point (1977) with Anne Bancroft & Shirley MacLaine. Anne improvised throwing a drink in Shirley's face. Shirley's reaction is quite real and quite stunning. I think she was pissed about it at first according to an interview several years ago.
Check out The Turning Point (1977) with Anne Bancroft & Shirley MacLaine. Anne improvised throwing a drink in Shirley's face. Shirley's reaction is quite real and quite stunning. I think she was pissed about it at first according to an interview several years ago.
This one got past me! So it worked. One of the few instances.
But then maybe no one had to improvise dialogue. Maybe I'll watch it again to see.
